# # [Onda Win8 tablet firmware upgrade # # Onda V975w quad-core version of the latest 0725 BIOS update: further optimize CPU utilization, enhance the stability of the system. Upgrade Considerations: Make sure the battery is more than 40%; update process, please do not do any other operation; while updating bios, touch or mouse is temporarily unavailable, is a normal phenomenon. Download → http://t.cn/RPqEqv8

The new BIOS will optimize CPU use (probably get rid of the spurious CPU use others have seen when no programs are running) and might get rid of all the crashes several people have noted (see this post).

IMPORTANT: If you’ve adjusted the graphics memory as detailed in this post, restore it to its original 512M value first!

Although Onda is saying the battery should be at least 40%, anyone with sense will make sure the battery is fully charged — 100% — before proceeding. Because Things Can Happen. Nothing else should be done with the tablet while the BIOS is being updated and mouse/touch functionality will temporarily be disabled (a reboot upon completion might be required).

If it’s not obvious, it’s the second download that’s the BIOS update. And the instructions it contains will be in Chinese. I’m not downloading this to peek, so Onda V975w owners are on their own. Anyone who applies the update should leave a Comment with their experiences and let everyone know if the tablet is more stable.

Same-day update: At the Onda forum, the BIOS update is announced and these are the posted instructions [Google English]:

Operation:

1 The following extract from the archive folder on the desktop or tablet PC C root directory.

2 Double-click the folder under the “double-click the installation. Cmd” document, the system automatically updates the bios, the machine will restart after the completion, BIOS update is complete.

That seems a bit vague. It’s unclear if the tablet should be connected to a desktop/notebook PC via USB or if the update should be placed on a microSD card. Perhaps the instructions (which will be in Chinese) contained in the download have illustrations.

The bad news is that people are reporting this only minimally fixes the CPU usage problem. Instead of the CPU running at 40% when no software is being used, it’s now about 28% and people are calling for further improvement (others who have never experienced the spurious CPU usage say the CPU should be at just 10% when no software is being used).

As for owners of the V975i who have (miraculously!) managed to flash their firmware from Android to Windows, this BIOS update can be used by them too.

Second same-day update: In the Onda forum, someone is reporting that after applying the BIOS update, watching HD video ramps up the CPU to max and also gobbles too much RAM [Google Translate]. Since no specific type of HD video file was mentioned, it’s unknown if this applies to all HD video (720p/1080p) and filetypes (AVI, MP4, MKV, etc). It’s also unknown which specific video playback software was being used, but I include this update out of caution. Let’s see if there are further reports like this. In short, welcome to the Windows Nightmare where diagnosing problems is a trip to Hell.

In a second Weibo communique today, Onda reminds people of the steps to activate Windows (which is also covered in their FAQ):

# # [Onda Win8 tablet textbook] Win8.1 how to activate and validate? Preloaded Win8.1 flat, can be activated by connecting the network. First boot, to be based on-screen display, the basic user configuration information, enter the Metro interface, click on the bottom left of the desktop magnet into the traditional desktop, click on the bottom right corner of the icon and wifi connection, even automatically activate the network! Press this computer Desktop icon, select Properties windows can check activation status!

5 responses to “Onda V975w: BIOS Update, Windows Activation”

I expected these Intel Bay Trail system-on-a-chip tablets to be stable out of the gate. I figured they would be close to Intel reference hardware designs with close to Intel reference BIOS. Hoping to see stable performance quickly.

I’m looking for a tablet to run radio software, but you have me interested in your explorations of tablet as free Google books reader as well, great application for technology.

Keep in mind I’m only paying attention to the Onda V975w. I have no idea if there are issues with Windows eight-inch tablets from other companies. I give Onda credit for openly promoting all of this on Weibo, where at least I can see it and pass it along.